Need a new car?  Or an old car? Then here's the community profile you should read California, as everyone knows, is probably the car capital of the world. Supposedly there are more cars in Los Angeles than there are people. That's pretty amazing to me.               We are an auto-centric state for sure (there's a post coming on that, so stay tuned). Knowing the importance of cars in our lives (well, for many of us at least), knowing where to go to buy a new or used car is smart (unless you are an on-line fanatic - Craigslist.com is one place to check, but there are a bunch of Internet car websites, such as CarsDirect.com).   This post is about CAR COUNTRY in Carlsbad. This is not to say that this is the ONLY place to go, but there are certainly some impressive options if you are in No... 06/08/2007

On the east side of Carlsbad, just a short hop from the San Marcos border, is a pleasant, tree-lined community on rolling hills called La Costa Meadowridge. Obviously the name is a dead give-away that this neighborhood is located in the La Costa area of Carlsbad, perhaps a 15 or 20 minute drive to the Carlsbad and Encinitas beaches.La Costa Meadowridge is a complex of attached condominiums built in 1985 and 1986, many with views of the surrounding common areas, trees and hills, and arranged in small enclaves, some with cul-de-sacs. These homes range in size from around 1100 SF up to a bit over 1700 SF with either 2 or 3 bedrooms and 2 or 2.5 baths. Some units include 1 or more fireplaces. While there are a number of primary homeowners, some units are second homes and investment properti... 06/05/2007

  Yes, Carlsbad, CA has a windmill, and it's pretty well known. The Windmill is more formally known as Windmill Banquet and Catering, with a Dutch-style windmill visible for some distance. The site is shared by the Holiday Inn, providing rooms for visitors and conference attendees. Windmill is the site of the monthly Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce meetings, among many other corporate events. The Windmill was built in 1980 and remodeled in 1999. It is located just off the 5 freeway and less than a mile from the ocean. If you are staying at the hotel, there are a number tourist attractions close-by to occupy your time, in addition to the pristine Carlsbad beaches. World-famous Legoland is less than a mile away from The Windmill. Nearby you will also find the famous Flower Fields, a multi-ac... 05/29/2007

Carlsbad has a good reputation as a golfing destination in Southern California. And with two well-known golf resorts, La Costa Spa and Resort (with 2 courses) in the La Costa area, and the Four Seasons Aviara Resort (public) in Aviara, one can understand. There is also a public golf course at Rancho Carlsbad (a 55+ residential community north of La Costa). Perhaps we don't measure up to Rancho Santa Fe, a nearby very affluent neighbor with, I believe, 7 country clubs and 3 courses each at two of them - Morgan Run and Fairbanks Ranch. But we do pretty well. And there are other public courses nearby in Oceanside, San Marcos (Twin Oaks. Lake San Marcos) and Encinitas (Encinitas Ranch Golf Course). The newest addition to the golfing circuit in Carlsbad, The Crossings at Carlsbad, will be o... 05/29/2007

Brookfield is an attractive, un-gated neighborhood on the eastern side of Carlsbad where Alga Road meets Melrose, near the edge of San Marcos (look for Xana Way at the light on Alga, the main road through Brookfield).   Buyers who are looking at Carlsbad homes for sale, especially first time buyers, are often drawn to the community because of the location and the pricing. With the median price of a detached home in Carlsbad's La Costa area (92009) at $829,000 for April 2007, Brookfield becomes a viable area for new buyers to purchase.   Brookfield is a quiet residential neighborhood, with several small "villages," and there are several community pools andsmall parks for residents. Homes were built in the mid to late 1980s and most are two story. Homeowners pay a nominal HOA fee (around... 05/28/2007

Many people moving to Southern California have a desire to own a waterfront home. Who wouldn't...if you can afford it. Waterfront property is a premium and even small or modest fixers will cost you big bucks for the opportunity to have nothing between you and the vast ocean. While there are certainly trade-offs for living right by the ocean - frequent fog and marine layers, damage from erosion, increased weather and salt-air related wear and tear on the home, cooler temperatures, and so on - the allure of the vast sea and the views, for many, make a waterfront home worthwhile. So what can you buy in Carlsbad (link is to community profile, photos and virtual tours) that is waterfront? Interestingly, because of where the coastal highway runs, and due to the terrain, there are actually no... 05/22/2007

The 6th Annual gala fundraiser, the Plein Air Brunch, took place on Sunday May 20th in the courtyard of the Carlsbad Library and The Cannon Art Gallery at Dove Street and El Camino Real in South Carlsbad.20 artists decorated theme tables reflecting well-known artists such as Monet, Picasso, Wyeth and others. A Silent Austion of 15 art works was also held to raise funds along with a raffle for 4 donated art items. Over 100 guests paid $50 each to attend and enjoy a wonderful brunch by Isaac's Catering of Carlsbad (featuring 4 food stations), view the artists tables, purchase art items for sale, and paticipate in the silent auction and raffle.The guests were also treated to a terrific talk by artist Gerrit Greve, who provided research assistance to Susan Vreeland, author of a new book abo... 05/21/2007

Carlsbad has a very good reputation as a desirable community for a variety of reasons. One is the excellent school system which has won awards a number of times and most recently had elementary schools that were voted the Best of the Best in California. Carlsbad also has excellent arts programs, which include the Cannon Art Gallery (with a number of shows each year and family day activities for each show that are free to the public), the Museum of Making Music, and the TGIF Jazz in the Park series (9 shows) on Fridays in the summer, also free to the public. Anyone living here or driving through has to have notice the dramatic growth that has taken place in recent years and the continued development we see - La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge, La Costa Oaks, Bressi Ranch, and the new Robert... 05/19/2007

  Bressi Ranch Master Planned Community in Carlsbad California   Buyers interested in Carlsbad real estate, especially newer homes for sale, may find the Bressi Ranch community suits  their style perfectly.   Bressi Ranch, located at the junction of El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad, is one of the town's newest, and largest, Master Planned Communities. Located inland about 4 miles from the ocean, Bressi Ranch is about 30 miles from downtown San Diego and perhaps 6 miles from Carlsbad Village.   Like the other master planned communities (La Costa Oaks, La Costa Greens, La Costa Ridge, Rancho Carrillo, La Costa Valley), Bressi Ranch prides itself on its walkability, allowing residents a comfortable sense of community and easy access to parks, schools and a community cen... 05/19/2007

Aviara Neighborhoods in Carlsbad CA The Carlsbad real estate market offers buyers a number of options. One of the popular communities is Aviara, in the south west corner of Carlsbad. There are a number of gated and ungated neighborhoods to explore there. Aviara (link is to community profile) is a residential resort community in Carlsbad, just a couple of miles inland from the ocean. Anchored by the Four Seasons Aviara, this affluent community offers a number of different gated and ungated neighborhoods of attached and detached homes, the Aviara Oaks Elementary School and Aviara Oaks Middle School, access to the Batiquitos Lagoon and wildlife preserve, and some wonderful views of the lagoon, ocean and rolling countryside and distant mountains. Prices vary widely, from the $500s (for att... 05/15/2007

The town of Carlsbad (link is to community profile with photos and virtual tours)has a fine reputation for its arts program, and is a model for other communities for the variety of programs that it offers. [photo, left, is of the Carlsbad Sculpture Garden]Under the guidance and financial sponsorship of the Friends of the Arts, residents and visitors off all ages have a number of options depending on their interests. William D. Cannon Art Gallery - located adjacent to the Carlsbad Library in South Carlsbad (Dove and El Camino), this fine art gallery offers 5-6 shows per year of outstanding quality. Admission is free. In addition, with each show the gallery sponsors a Family Day (again, free for all) where residents (including children) can visit the current show and them get involved in ... 05/14/2007

I have only worked for RE/MAX since getting my license, first in Massachusetts in 2002 and later in California when I relocated to escape the New England winters and came to live in Carlsbad.Seriously, I love New England, and Boston/Cambridge was a terrific area to live and work in. But, man, the winter weather was brutal [winter photo below - snow in NOVEMBER in Harvard Square just a few blocks from my office]. Can you understand my desire to escape to sunny Southern California? But I do miss the cultural and historical side of Cambridge, and friends and colleagues.Unlike many who join RE/MAX, I started as a newcomer. I knew the broker, from having worked with him and one of the agents on the sale and purchase of our home (the 7th one). There was no question in my mind that I wanted to... 05/11/2007

The Sea Point Tennis Club at La Costa, in Southeast Carlsbad (link is to community profile with virtual tours and music), is located in the hills above the famed La Costa Spa and Resort. Just 30 miles from downtown San Diego and inland about 4 miles from the beaches, Sea Point offers a resort-like residential environment with pleasant panoramic views of the hills, nearby canyons, and surrounding neighborhoods, which includes multimillion-dollar homes. Some Sea Point homes offer views of the Batiquitos Lagoon and distant ocean. If you are looking at Carlsbad homes for sale, Sea Point Tennis Club may be THE place for you.The ungated Sea Point Tennis Club complex consists of Mediterranean-style condominiums amidst rolling tree-covered hills. Most of the units are single story (many are 2-s... 05/11/2007

Buyers and Sellers - here are the summary statistics from the MLS for April 2007 for Carlsbad, California [view of of the Batiquitos Lagoon and the ocean from the La Costa hills]The Carlsbad real estate market continues to be fairly stable, with a modest increase in housing inventory in the last couple of months (but substantially less than the peak last summer). Currently there is only a 6 month inventory of detached homes for sale in CarlsbadMedian prices for both detached and attached homes in Carlsbad rose by 1% from March to April, however prices remain below the levels from 1 year ago.  AS OF APRIL 30, 2007 ATTACHED HOMES   DETACHED HOMES  Active261444Sold in Last 6 Months231448Sold/Pending In Last 6 months298601Absorption Rate (Solds)203 days178 daysAbsorption Rate (Solds Plus Pe... 05/11/2007

Tuesday May 8 was a special night for my wife and I. Why? Well we had a terrific dinner at the BlueFire Grill at the La Costa Spa and Resort here in the La Costa area of Carlsbad (links are to community profiles with virtual tours and music) just a short walk from my home.We have eaten there several times and always had a great experience. For some reason this was the best so far. It started with being warmly greeted at the front desk by Rosie (Rosalinda Watling), who manages the restaurant, and ended with a great conversation with Chef de Cuisine, Scott Diehl - more on that later.The BlueFire Grill at La Costa offers both indoor and outdoor dining. The night was summer-ish so we dined outside by the fire pit where we could also enjoy the setting sun through the palm trees. The setting ... 05/10/2007

Aaah, a vacation or second home at one of the country's pre-eminent resort spas, right here in Carlsbad, Southern California. What could be better?Here is your opportunity to own a resort condominium at the famous La Costa Spa and Resort in the La Costa area of Carlsbad, with all the amenities of this fabulous resort at your fingertips - the beautifully landscaped 400+ acre grounds, views of the La Costa Hills and, for some, the lagoon and ocean, the 2 18-hole golf courses, tennis, Kids Club, signature dining at BlueFire Grill, the Chopra Center, and of course the wonderful 26,000 SF spa with a myriad of services to tempt you. La Costa Resort Villas, now selling in Phase 2 (with phase 3 under development), offer an opportunity not afforded many. With prices in the $500,000s up to about ... 05/06/2007

Interested in enjoying a little luxury? Do you have something special to celebrate, like a birthday or anniversary? Or do you simply want to reward yourself (and perhaps enjoy it with someone you care about).The Four Seasons Aviara Resort in Carlsbad offers a great opportunity to enjoy a day, or part of a day of luxury, depending on your interests. Pampering begins as soon as you drive up to the front doors, the valettakes your car, and you walk into the lobby with its expansive views of the grounds and the ocean beyond.You can keep it fairly simple, and just enjoy afternoon tea, or perhaps cocktails and appetizers in the Lobby Lounge. Even better, sit outside on the terrace adjoining the lounge  to appreciate the views of the ocean and lagoon and enjoy the sun and coastal breezes. This... 05/05/2007

La Costa Oaks, located in the southeast corner of Carlsbad in the La Costa area, and bordering San Marcos, is a large residential community on rolling hills.   Learn more about the Carlsbad Lifestyle in the slide show at the bottom of the page.   La Costa Oaks is one of the 4 La Costa Villages, the other 3 being La Costa Valley - built and sold out, La Costa Greens (some brand new construction still available but mostly resale properties),  and La Costa Ridge. La Costa Oaks, located primarily off La Costa Avenue and Rancho Santa Fe Road, opened in July of 2004. However there have been a few recent additions to the La Costa Oaks community in 2013 and 2014 along Rancho Santa Fe Road.   The La Costa Oaks community consists of more than 12 neighborhoods, and has been developed by a number ... 05/05/2007

When clients ask where our office is, I offer one of two responses. If they are local, all I have to say is, "The Carlsbad Forum,"and if they are from out of town, the directions to the office sound like a field trip:....As you approach from the freeway, you will note the ocean to your west. Exit Leucadia Boulevard and you will pass Encinitas Ranch Golf Course on your left and at the bottom of the hill at the light, you will turn left on Garden View and will see Home Expo on the right. Immediately after passing Home Expo, turn into The Carrlsbad Forum on your right. Park near Bed Bath & Beyond.Take the escalator upstairs, where you will instantly see Windermere Exclusive Properties.We are proud of our office and enjoy so many of the shops, restaurants and stores situated there.. Jimbo's... 05/05/2007

The Argyle Steakhouse at the Aviara Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, CA has been a favorite with golfers, locals and visitors since it first opened in 1991. The views over Aviara's Arnold Palmer signature course and the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon provide additional year round ambience to what is already a very wonderful restaurant. Until December, 2006 the Argyle served only delicious breakfasts and lunches.It is now much more.The Argyle had long been a personal favorite for leisurely weekend breakfasts and relaxed business lunches. But now, since December, 2006,  the Argyle has the added disctinction of being the only chop house in Carlsbad serving dinner with views over Aviara golf and Batiquitos Lagoon sunsets. Soft jazz floats through the dining room, furnished with red leather-top... 05/03/2007